The “Sugar” display is again next year, and Sean O’Malley will input the Octagon for the first time as UFC bantamweight champion.
Recommended VideosSince bursting onto the scene throughout Dana White’s Contender Series 2 as a 7-Zero skilled blended martial artist, O’Malley’s profile has continually grown. And now, at the height of his power, the 135-pound divisional king will look to make his first identify protection towards the guy charged with eliminating the “0” from his document, Marlon “Chito” Vera.
Around seven months after his championship-winning effort against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, Sugar (17-1, 1 no-contest) and Chito will rematch as UFC 299’s headlining act. The event is scheduled for March 9. But, the hosting city and venue haven't begun to be introduced.
Vera (21-8-1) is these days ranked No. 6 in the official UFC bantamweight standings and is driving the momentum of his unanimous choice victory over Pedro Munhoz — a win he notched the same night time O’Malley TKO’d Sterling to ascend the throne. Including his cut up resolution defeat to Cory Sandhagen in his day out prior, Vera is 5-1 in his final six contests, which incorporates knockout finishes over the likes of former 135-pound champion Dominick Cruz, and ex-lightweight kingpin Franke Edgar.
The maximum relevant fit that’ll be fascinated about all through the lead-up to UFC 299 is O’Malley and Vera’s conflict in August 2020. Serving as UFC 252’s co-main tournament, the two dueled in a fight of hanging for just about one spherical sooner than Chito took out O’Malley with vicious elbows and punches on the canvas.
O’Malley had succumbed to Chito’s calf kicks, which ended in the sub-five-minute TKO.
Before then, Sugar and his kickboxing prowess used to be shining. But Chito, the guy recognized for his power and resilience, also unloaded his weapons onto the emerging superstar.
After the loss, O’Malley referred to as a mulligan because his demise used to be an immediate result of Vera kicking a nerve in his leg — something he considers success, not skill. Sugar hasn’t tasted defeat since assembly Chito over three years in the past, and he believes he’ll proper the improper in their championship leading event.
All in all, Sugar is an 11-fight UFC veteran. He rattled off three KO/TKO victories after his disastrous evening preventing Vera. But, it wasn’t till his contest with former bantamweight champion Petr Yan that O’Malley stamped himself as a title contender. They fought in October 2022 and the back-and-forth “Fight of the Night” ended with Sugar having his hand raised by means of cut up resolution.
The win coated him up for a shot at Sterling’s gold. And in August, Sugar learned his dream of changing into the 135-pound titleholder of MMA’s worldwide leader.
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